​Help Irvine Ranch Conservancy celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1! Occurring annually on the first Saturday in June, National Trails Day was created by the American Hiking Society to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to pledge to improve trails around the world. The pledge can involve anything from collecting trash along trails to partaking in stewardship activities to support the health and beauty of trailside habitat. Celebrate National Trails Day by taking in the breath-taking views and lush landscape on local trails throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy has collaborated with local landowners, partner organizations and volunteers to develop stewardship programs that provide an array of options for the public to take part in improving the quality of the trails while enjoying the outdoors. From the Second Sundays Restoration Program offered every month at Upper Newport Bay to Collecting Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm, there are numerous opportunities to volunteer on the Landmarks.

​The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a variety of natural habitats and native plant species. These habitats can be disrupted by invasive plants and weeds that are harmful to the native flora of the lands. Restoring native habitat is an important goal of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, but before native plants can be re-introduced to a specific area, non-native plants must be removed.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy has partnered with the City of Irvine to implement a multi-year habitat restoration project in Bommer Canyon. The process will begin with a little help from nature’s mowers – goats! Unlike other habitat restoration methods, this experimental activity utilizes a controlled method of livestock grazing to remove non-native plants, weeds, and thatch that have degraded the natural habitat over time. Goats can access certain areas mowers can’t such as steep slopes or rocky areas and are being used as an experiment to see how effective they can be in other situations. With their seemingly endless appetites, goats graze down to the soil, which will allow Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff to plant native seeds and plants at the cleared site and restore the area to its native habitat. The end goal of the project is to return Bommer Canyon to a healthy, lush mix of native grasslands and coastal sage scrub – a rare habitat found only in Southern California.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is dedicated to offering an array of programs and activities that enable the local community to experience the diverse species that can be found throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. One of those programs being the launch of a citizen science event, BioBlitz. The Conservancy proudly hosted this inaugural family-friendly event on Sunday, April 28, 2019 near the Library of Canyons, located in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.

A BioBlitz focuses on observing and identifying various species in a specific area over a short period of time to provide a “snapshot” of species diversity. This citizen science event also develops baseline data for the Conservancy and local community that can be used to observe change over time.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks consist of diverse habitats and spectacular views of nature that provide nearly limitless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether strolling through the park, jogging along a trail, moving through a rejuvenating, open-air yoga session, or conquering steep terrain on a mountain bike, there are many ways to experience the nature of the Landmarks.

Mountain biking in the Landmarks is a unique experience. Riders travel through world-class trails with beautiful views, catching sight of local wildlife every so often. Irvine Ranch Conservancy works diligently with landowners such as OC Parks and the City of Irvine to ensure riders have a great experience on the trails.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy prepares for potential wildfires throughout Orange County all year long, ramping up planning and monitoring efforts as summer approaches. The heat of summer leaves many plants dry and vulnerable. In combination with strong Santa Ana winds, these dangerous conditions create a high fire risk each year.

By implementing the Orange County Fire Watch program, the Conservancy aims to reduce wildland fire ignition sources through highly trained volunteer groups. Working closely with Orange County Fire Authority and Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff, Fire Watch volunteers are trained on fire behavior education, public interaction and how to report fires. The Conservancy also manages Fire Watch volunteers and staff members who monitor the perimeters of high-risk areas to assist with early detection of ignitions and help prevent detrimental behavior that may result in wildfire.